Théâtre de la Société

Théâtre de la Société (lit. "the society theatre") was a venue in Cape Town belonging to one of the social societies active at the time. Used for a variety of purposes, such spaces were occasionally used for theatrical presentations.

A venue by this name is specifically mentioned (though wrongly as the "Théâtre du Société) in the Kaapsche Courant en Afrikaansche Berigter of 14 December, 1805, with regard to a benefit performance held for Charles Mathurin Villet by Les Amateurs de l'Isle de France. They did Le Soldat Magicien (Anseaume), On ne s'Avise de Tout (Sedaine and Monsigny) and some acrobatics and songs in Dutch.

Though not specified, it was most likely to have been either the Afrikaansche Societeit Huis (or simply Afrikaansche Societeit (which existed till 1849, though known as the Bataafsche Harmonie between 1803-1810); or the Concordia Societeit (1797-1810).

Sources

F.C.L. Bosman, 1928. Drama en Toneel in Suid-Afrika, Deel I: 1652-1855. Pretoria: J.H. de Bussy. [1]: pp. 42, 91

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